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MITSUBISHI PAJERO

ALL ABOUT THE MITSUBISHI PAJERO

Mitsubishi Pajero

History

A luxury vehicle with plenty of seating to get around town. A durable off-roading vehicle to get through wooded areas and harsh terrain. The Mitsubishi Pajero is the complete luxury offroading package.

 

The Mitsubishi Pajero goes by many names. Marketed globally, the Pajero is also known as the Mitsubishi Montero (Spain and the Americas) and the Mitsubishi Shogun (United Kingdom).

 

This full sized SUV, introduced in 1981, was created to be Mitsubishi’s heavy duty off road vehicle. The Pajero has set records and become a historical SUV staple. 

THE HISTORY

The Mitsubishi Pajero was discontinued in the JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) by August of 2019. Directly following the release of the “Final Edition” model. This edition was limited to only 700 models made. 

 

The “Final Edition” Pajero model differences were purely cosmetic. They received:

 

  • Carpet Floor Mats

  • Hood Protectors

  • Cargo Lip Covers

  • Leather Wrapped “Final Edition” Owners Manual & Service Book

  • Winter Package

  • Rubber Cargo Liner

  • Final Edition Badge 

 

Flagship Exceed Models Received:

 

  • Full leather interiors 

  • Brushed aluminum pedals

  • A Sunroof

 

The high demand for the Pajero within international markets continued for some time. This included Australia, North America, Africa and more. But as of March 2021, production of the Mitsubishi Pajero has been discontinued. . 

 

The Mitsubishi Pajero is widely considered to be one of the best 4X4 vehicles in the world. 

 

Since 1981, it’s set world records and generated more than $3.3 million dollars in sales within a 40 year time.  

The Mitsubishi Pajero was discontinued in the JDM

The End Of The Mitsubishi Pajero

The Mitsubishi Pajero

The first Pajero prototype was released by Mitsubishi at the Tokyo Motor Show in 1973. This prototype looked almost identical to a jeep. Like most concept prototypes, the original Pajero concept didn't gain much traction. 

Then in 1978, five years later, Mitsubishi released the Pajero II prototype. The Pajero prototype debuted at the 1981 Tokyo Motor Show and sales didnt even begin until 1982. This Pajero model resembled a compact pickup truck. 

 

SUV’s (sports utility vehicles) had just started gaining popularity. This was right around the time when Range Rover and Land Cruisers started to become highly sought after luxury vehicles.

THE DAKAR RALLY

The Dakar Rally is an annual rally race. This race has been hosted by a variety of locations from France, and Saudi Arabia to South America. Unlike conventional rally races, the Dakar rally is an off-road endurance race placed in a compilation of extremely difficult terrain. A large selection of road vehicles compete while crossing dunes, mud, tall grass, rocks and more. 

 

Mitsubishi’s Pajero was a rally SUV designed to compete in the competitive offroad 4x4 market. From adjustable suspension, 4 wheel drive, seats with shocks, it came with everything needed for an off road experience.

 

The Pajero was entered in the 1983 Paris Dakar Rally. After competing in the 12,000 Kilometer event, the Pajero placed 11th out of 385 vehicles. It was a big moment for Mitsubishi. This is because that placement was achieved with essentially the stock version of their car with only a few minor adjustments. 

 

By the 1985 Dakar Rally, Mitsubishi was ready to seriously compete. Drivers Francia Jean Da Silva and Patrick Zaniroli won the Dakar Rally. Mitsubishi had proven to the world that they had built the ultimate off roading adventure vehicle. 

 

Mitsubishi continued to set a Guinness World Record for the most victories of a Dakar Rally Vehicle between 1985 and 2007. They won the Dakar Rally 12 times within 32 years.

First Generation Mitsubishi Pajero

The first generation Mitsubishi Pajeros debuted in 1981 and officially launched to the public in 1982. Initially this model was a three door vehicle with a short wheelbase and came with a metal or canvas top. 

 

The first generation Pajero had three different engine options to choose from. Additional power options were added to the lineup during production. Buyers were able to choose from:

 

  • 2.0 Litre 4 Cylinder Petrol Engine (2000/2.0)

  • 2.0 Litre 4 Cylinder Turbocharged Petrol Engine (2000/2.0 Turbo)

  • 2.6 Litre 4 Cylinder Petrol Engine (2300 D/ 2.3 D)

  • 2.3 Litre Turbocharged Diesel Engine (2300 TD/2.3 TD)

  • 2.5 Litre Turbocharged Diesel Engine (2500 TD/2.5 TD)

  • 3.0 Litre V6 SOHC Petrol Engine (3000/3.0) 

Second Generation Mitsubishi Pajero

The Gen 2 Mitsubishi Pajero was a complete revamp design released in 1991. Almost every aspect of the vehicle was new or enhanced in some fashion from the first generation model. Mitsubishi offered larger body styles and a variety of roofing options for the Gen  2 pajero including:

 

  • Canvas Top Convertible Roof For The Short Wheelbase Versions

  • Metal Top

  • Semi High Roof Options For The Long Wheelbase Models 

  • High Roof Options For The Long Wheelbase Models

 

The new engines included:

 

  • 3.0-Litre 12-Valve SOHC V6 (6G72) 

  • ECI-Multi Electronic Fuel Injection 

  • 2.5-Litre Turbocharged Diesel Engine (4D56T) Utilizing An Intercooler 

Third Generation Mitsubishi Pajero

The third generation Mitsubishi Pajeros were designed in-house and debuted in the Japanese domestic market (JDM) in 1999. Third generation models weren't available in other markets or the United States until 2001.

 

The 3rd Gen Pajeros received a rack and pinion steering system, a lower and wider body stance and unibody construction. They increased the vehicle's torsion rigidity by implementing an integral ladder frame that drastically improved the strength of the cabin. This also showed impressive structural integrity in rollover accidents.

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Buyers were able to choose from 3 different transmissions:

 

  • Five Speed Manual Transmission

  • Four Speed INVECS-II Automatic Transmission

  • Five Speed INVEC-II Tiptronic

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Production of the third generation Pajeros continued until 2006, but remained available on the Chinese market until 2011.

Fourth Generation Mitsubishi Pajero

The fourth generation Mitsubishi Pajeros were unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in September of 2006. A lot was changed on these models improving both technology and looks alike. Aside from the revised interior and exterior styling changes made to the Pajero, safety features were upgraded as well.  

 

The new Pajero received dual stage SRS front airbags along with side impact airbags  and curtain airbags. The chassis was slightly altered with Mistubishi’s RISE technology that was used in their previous generation models.

 

The Super Select 4WD II system that was implemented on the third generation was improved. Mitsubishi added an Active Stability & Traction Control (ASTC) system. They also added electronic brakeforce distribution, skid plating, a carbon fibre wrapped driveshaft and an aluminum bonnet to reduce the weight. 

 

The fourth generation pajero even offers a space behind the main battery for ANOTHER battery. This was done to offer drivers added battery power for winches, harsh weather conditions and extremely cold winters.

 

Some of the other body upgrades included:

 

  • Rear Axle Revisions For Added Strength

  • Larger Brake Rotors

  • Independent Rear Air Conditioning Control

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